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Dr Francis Maravillas is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Art Histories and Curatorial Practices: Asia and the World at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. His academic work bridges art historical research, curatorial practice, and interdisciplinary teaching with a focus on contemporary Asian art contexts. His educational background includes a PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences from the University of Technology Sydney and a First Class Honours BA in Politics from Macquarie University, Australia. Maravillas' research centers on modern and contemporary Asian art, with particular expertise in curatorial practices, exhibition histories, and socially engaged/performatory art forms. His current projects investigate the aesthetics and politics of food in contemporary Asian art, examining how food functions in performance, installation, and community-based practices within post-colonial and global contexts. This research explores intersections between alimentary practices, political economies of survival, and post-colonial histories across Asia. His publication record reveals consistent engagement with Southeast Asian contemporary art worlds, food-art practices, and diasporic visual cultures. Key projects include the co-edited World Art special issue on Southeast Asian art publics (2020) and the forthcoming Routledge anthology 'Tastes of Justice' (2025), which examines food, art, and justice politics in Asian-Australian contexts. Maravillas has secured significant research funding including a SGD 20,000 LASALLE College of the Arts grant for 'Tastes of Justice' (2024) and an AUD 49,526 Creative Australia grant for related art, performance, and symposia activities in Sydney and Singapore (2024). He actively collaborates internationally through co-curated exhibitions like 'Bruised Food: A Living Laboratory' (2019) and the symposium 'Shifting Grounds, New Horizons' (2022), demonstrating commitment to building transnational networks in contemporary Southeast Asian art.

• Contemporary Asian Art
• Curatorial Practices
• Exhibition Histories
• +4 more

Maria Monica Wihardja serves as a Visiting Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute while holding an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at the National University of Singapore. Her career bridges academic research and high-impact policy engagement, including former roles as World Bank Economist in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice and senior advisor to Indonesia's Presidential Executive Office on strategic economic reforms. Her educational background features: PhD in Regional Science, Cornell University MPhil in Economics, Cambridge University BA in Applied Mathematics-Economics, Brown University Wihardja's research integrates economic analysis with sociotechnical systems, focusing on digital transformation's impact on labor markets, food security, and democratic processes. She examines how technological disruption creates both opportunities for inclusion and risks of inequality, particularly through studies of platform economies, electoral disinformation, and sustainable agro-food systems. Her methodology combines quantitative econometrics with policy-oriented field research, often leveraging large-scale datasets from government and private sector partnerships. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Digital economy effects on labor market polarization and inclusion, (2) Food system resilience through agricultural modernization, and (3) Geopolitical dimensions of supply chain reconfiguration. These intersect with her policy engagement in ASEAN economic integration frameworks and Indonesia's G20 presidency initiatives. Her scientific recognition includes: Nikkei Asian Scholar 2023 award Wihardja actively shapes regional discourse through editorial roles at East Asia Forum and Center for Indonesian Policy Studies. Her grant-funded work frequently involves World Bank partnerships and Indonesian government collaborations, particularly on stunting prevention and food policy reforms. Current projects examine deepfake impacts on electoral integrity and sustainable financing mechanisms for green transitions. She leads the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS, coordinating interdisciplinary research on digital governance and Southeast Asian technology policy. The programme partners with regional think tanks, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy responses to technological disruption.

• Digital Economy
• Labour Market
• Poverty and Inequality
• +6 more

Harvey NEO is a Professorial Research Fellow at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), leading the Cities and Urban Science programme at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC). He holds a PhD in Geography from Clark University, USA, and previously served as an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on urban sustainability, citizen-centric urban science, and nature-society interactions. He is the Southeast Asian editor for Human Geography and Frontiers in Sustainable Cities , and sits on multiple international advisory boards. Key roles include Director of SUTD's Master in Urban Science, Policy and Planning programme, and co-leader of the Tote Board's Future Ready Society initiative. Education: PhD, Graduate School of Geography, Clark University (2007); MSc, Geography, NUS (2002); BA (Hons), NUS. Research interests emphasize urban futures, participatory governance, and environmental policy, with a focus on Southeast Asian cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Phnom Penh. His work bridges academia and practice through projects on electric vehicle policies, urban heat adaptation, and 3P+ (People, Public, Private + Academia) partnerships. Publications span urban mobility, pandemic responses, and eco-city development, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary solutions for sustainable urbanization. He has secured grants from Singapore’s Social Sciences Research Council and Housing Development Board, fostering collaborations across sectors to address societal challenges. Labs/Teams: LKYCIC's Urban Environmental Sustainability Programme and the Future Ready Society Initiative, which integrate research with policy and community action.

• Urban Futures
• Citizen Urban Science
• Policy-Making
• +4 more

Falk MÜLLER-RIEMENSCHNEIDER is an Associate Professor and Vice Dean (Research) at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and holds a joint affiliation with NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. He leads the Physical Activity and Nutrition Determinants in Asia (PANDA) research programme. With a medical degree from the University of Cologne (2003) and advanced training in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (2005), he has built a career focused on cardiovascular disease prevention, physical activity promotion, and obesity epidemiology. His academic qualifications include a Doctoral degree from Charité University Medical Centre Berlin (2005) and Habilitation (2011). Professional roles include Senior Lecturer/Research Fellow positions at Charité (2005–2012), and administrative leadership roles such as Teaching Coordinator and Project Division Coordinator for Cardiovascular Research (2008–2012). Research interests center on lifestyle determinants of chronic diseases, with emphasis on physical activity interventions, dietary patterns, and early childhood development. Notable work includes the Singapore Preconception Study and the GUSTO cohort study, examining long-term health trajectories. Media engagements highlight his work on screen time effects in children and urban green space benefits. His recent publications (2021–2025) address mHealth intervention design, park-based physical activity, and 24-hour movement guidelines. Key themes include digital health adoption barriers, longitudinal cohort studies, and culturally tailored public health strategies.

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• +4 more

Aidan M Wong is a full-time Assistant Professor of Urban Studies (Education) at the College of Integrative Studies, Singapore Management University. He also serves as Programme Co-Director for the Master of Sustainability (MST) program and holds the Urban Fellow position at the SMU Urban Institute. His work bridges urban studies, economic geography, and sustainability education through interdisciplinary research and teaching. PhD : Queen Mary University of London (2014) MSc : National University of Singapore (2010) BSc : National University of Singapore (2008) Wong's research explores intersections of urban sustainability, active citizenship, and labor dynamics. His publications demonstrate expertise in: Broad Disciplines : Urban Studies, Environmental Science, Economic Geography Key Themes : E-waste regulation, informal labor networks, urban heritage preservation, and circular economy implementation He contributes to educational initiatives through courses like 'Big Questions', 'Urban Cultures', and 'Singapore: Imagining the Next 50 Years', while coordinating the 'Cultures of the Modern World' basket in the MST program.

• Urban Cultures
• Singapore Studies
• Food Cultures
• +9 more

Prof. Brenda S.A. Yeoh is the Raffles Professor of Social Sciences and Professor of Geography at the National University of Singapore (NUS), leading the Asian Migration Cluster at the Asia Research Institute. She holds adjunct roles at institutions like the London School of Economics and serves on international bodies such as the International Geographical Union and the United Nations University Council. Her research focuses on migration, transnationalism, and gender in postcolonial contexts, with notable contributions to care migration, skilled mobility, and citizenship issues. Recognized with awards like the Vautrin Lud Prize (2021) and Public Service Medal (2022), she sits on numerous national and global committees, including Singapore's National Heritage Board and the World Cities Summit Urban Resilience Knowledge Council. Her academic leadership includes editorial roles for journals like Asian Population Studies and Population, Space and Place , and she mentors through critical cultural geography initiatives within NUS. Teaching interests span migration geographies, gender studies, and Singapore’s urban history.

• Human Geography
• Migration Studies
• Transnationalism
• +7 more

Emir Hrnjic is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance at NUS Business School, where he also serves as Academic Director of the UCLA-NUS EMBA program and Head of FinTech Training at the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF). He holds a PhD in Finance from Tulane University (2005) and has held prior academic positions at Tulane University and Virginia Tech. Research Interests: Banking, finance, investment, and commercial services with specialization in FinTech applications Blockchain technology and digital currency ecosystems Corporate finance, behavioral economics, and emerging markets Aviation finance, debt restructuring, and capital market innovations His publications demonstrate strong focus on practical finance applications, with 38 case studies covering corporate finance dilemmas, digital assets, and emerging market challenges. Recent works (2024-2025) show concentrated research in blockchain applications, CBDCs, and aviation industry financing, while earlier contributions emphasized behavioral finance and IPO strategies. Awards: TEC Case Impact Award for "Alibaba Bonds: Timing, Location, and Pricing" Leadership & Service: Developed FinTech training programs and digital asset curricula for MBA/EMBA Revamped UCLA-NUS EMBA curriculum and digital learning integration Provides expert commentary for media and industry conferences Conducted consulting projects in blockchain and litigation finance

• Banking
• Finance
• Investment
• +4 more

YEO Su Lin is an Associate Professor of Communication Management (Practice) at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University (SMU). She holds a Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University (2013). Her research focuses on strategic communication, crisis management, health communication, and cross-cultural communication practices. YEO has received multiple teaching awards, including the Dean’s Teaching Honour List from 2015 to 2022, and has authored/co-authored numerous articles in top journals like International Journal of Strategic Communication and Public Relations Review . Her academic and industry roles include Editorial Board Membership at the Journal of Communication Management , membership in the SMU Faculty Senate, and directorship of the Institute for Public Relations USA-SMU Alliance. YEO also advises on community engagement strategies for organizations like the Singapore Hospice Council. Research highlights include studies on pandemic communication, crisis consultancy cross-cultural comparisons, and public policy communication around end-of-life care. Her work frequently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in corporate reputation management and health advocacy. YEO has contributed to executive development programs for organizations such as the Singapore Armed Forces and Meta Asia-Pacific, emphasizing leadership communication and crisis management strategies.

• Strategic Communication
• Corporate Reputation
• Crisis Communication
• +6 more

Kelvin E.Y. Low is Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the National University of Singapore. He holds degrees from Bielefeld University and NUS, with research spanning sensory studies, migration, social memory, and food heritage. His recent books include Sensory Anthropology: Culture and Experience in Asia (Cambridge UP, 2023) and Bracketed Belonging: Gurkha Migrant Warriors and Transnational Lives (Cornell UP, 2025). Professor Low examines how sensory experiences shape social order across Asian contexts, investigating topics from rasa in pre-colonial India to contemporary urban soundscapes. His methodological innovations include multisensory ethnography and historical analysis of sensory regimes. Current projects explore human-nonhuman sensory encounters in cities and sensory dimensions of ceramic arts practice. He serves as co-editor of Current Sociology and editorial board member for Cultural Sociology and The Senses and Society . Low has developed community engagement initiatives including MAGIC math camps and sensory heritage workshops.

• Sensory Studies
• Migration and Transnationalism
• Social Memory
• +3 more

Assoc Professor Swee Lin Ho is a distinguished sociologist and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore's Department of Sociology within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Joining NUS in 2012 after four years as a Korea Foundation Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at Catholic University of Korea, she maintains active research and teaching roles with office AS1 04-29 at 11 Arts Link, Singapore. Her academic journey began with undergraduate studies in Philosophy at NUS, followed by extensive professional experience as auditor, financial journalist, and Vice President in business development across China, Hong Kong, Japan, and the UK. She later earned an M.A. in Comparative Culture (Sociology) from Sophia University (Tokyo), followed by M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Social Anthropology at University of Oxford. Professor Ho's research focuses on neoliberal transformations of urban economic life across East Asia, examining how flexible labor patterns reshape self-identity, gender dynamics, money management, and urban space. Her work spans ethnographic studies on Japanese love hotels, extramarital experiences, women's drinking practices, and K-pop idolization, extending to current investigations of global classical music and food industries. She analyzes how 'creativity' and 'passion' co-option in creative sectors impacts economic security, having conducted fieldwork with violin-makers in Italy and Asian musicians in Europe. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with gender precarity in Japanese corporate culture, workplace harassment legislation, and pandemic-era consumption shifts. Key thematic clusters include gendered labor markets, urban spatial transformations, and cultural globalization's impact on intimate relationships. 2020 Book Grant by AmorePacific Foundation for Pride and Ambivalence: The Ascent of East Asia in Western Classical Music Professor Ho mentors students through ethnographic field research methods while examining emergent corporate cultures and global Asian popular culture flows. Her multilingual capabilities (English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Malay, French, Italian, Spanish) enable deep cross-cultural analysis of financialization patterns and intimacy commercialization across Asia.

• Urban Anthropology
• Gender Studies
• Labor Economics
• +7 more

Yasmin ORTIGA is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the School of Social Sciences (SOSS), Singapore Management University (SMU). She specializes in international migration, education studies, globalization, and care work. Her work examines labor migration dynamics, particularly focusing on Filipino domestic workers and healthcare professionals. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Syracuse University (2015), an EdM from Harvard University (2005), and a BA from the University of the Philippines (2003). Education: PhD in Sociology, Syracuse University, 2015 EdM in Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University, 2005 BA in Psychology, University of the Philippines, 2003 Her research explores the intersection of migration, education, and global labor markets, with a focus on Southeast Asia. Key themes include the role of education in shaping migrant employability, the sociocultural impacts of emigration, and policy responses to care labor shortages. Recent work analyzes pandemic-induced immobility and its effects on migrant workers. Her publications address topics like transnational care chains, pandemic labor dynamics, and skill development strategies in emigration nations. Advising and grants involve collaborations with institutions in the Philippines and Singapore, focusing on migration policy and healthcare workforce issues.

• International Migration
• Education Studies
• Globalization
• +3 more

Mark Chong is a full-time Professor of Communication Management (Practice) at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University (SMU). He currently serves as Associate Dean of Students, Area Coordinator for the Communication Management Group, and SMU-X Academic Champion and Mentor. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Faculty Communications Advisor for the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition. His educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.S. from Cornell University. Mark Chong’s research centers on risk perception and communication, especially in emerging food technologies such as cultivated meat and precision fermentation. His work bridges communication, psychology, and sustainability, exploring how framing, nomenclature, and social norms influence public acceptance. He also contributes to business education and technology-enhanced learning, aligning with SMU’s focus on innovative pedagogy. His recent publications show a consistent focus on consumer behavior toward sustainable food innovations, with interdisciplinary methods combining environmental psychology, behavioral science, and strategic communication. Topics include sensory experience, social image, well-being, and ethical reasoning in food choices. Scientific Awards: SMU Faculty Contribution to Student Life Award (2022, 2016) SMU MBA Teaching Excellence Award (2020) SMU Teaching Excellence Honour Roll (2019) SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award (2019) Specialist Adult Educator Award (2018) Arthur W. Page Society Member (2021) Dean’s Teaching Honour List (2005–2011, 2013–2024) Outstanding Graduate Instructor, ICA (2002) Mark Chong has received multiple research grants, including from the Ministry of Education (MoE) AcRF Tier 2, USDA, Asia Rice Foundation, and the Cornell Genomics Initiative. His work on cultivated meat acceptance has been cited by the World Health Organization and FAO in their joint publication on cell-based food safety. He actively mentors students and leads initiatives in experiential learning through SMU-X and student competitions. He is affiliated with research initiatives in sustainable living and learning technologies, collaborating across disciplines including the School of Computing and Information Systems on technology-enhanced pedagogy.

• Risk Perception and Communication
• Cultivated Meat Acceptance
• Sustainable Food Systems
• +7 more

Beomgeun CHO is a Full-time Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) at Singapore Management University (SMU). His research focuses on governance networks, public management outcomes, and network leadership in policy contexts. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy from the University at Albany (2024), an MPA from Yonsei University (2018), and a B.A. in Public Administration from the University of Seoul (2015). His research interests span governance networks, policy implementation, gender representation in bureaucracy, and digital-era governance. Notable works examine food policy councils, regional innovation networks, and boundary-spanning leadership in public administration. His publications appear in top journals like Public Management Review and Public Administration. Recent articles highlight themes such as network management effectiveness, gender equity in public institutions, and global influences on e-government development. His work often combines quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze governance dynamics in both local and transnational contexts. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned. His advising and grants activities are not detailed in the provided text, but his involvement in policy-related research networks is implied. He is affiliated with the School of Social Sciences and contributes to the Public Policy and Political Science research clusters at SMU.

• Public Policy
• Political Science
• Governance Networks
• +3 more

Shahmir H. Ali serves as an Assistant Professor (Tenure) at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, where his research empowers families and communities as health promotion agents through digital platforms and socio-ecological interventions targeting dietary behaviors and cardiovascular health across diverse populations in the US, China, Australia, Pakistan, and Singapore. Education: PhD (Public Health), New York University School of Global Public Health (2023) BA (Public Health, Political Science), Johns Hopkins University (2019) His expertise spans family and social dynamics, chronic disease prevention, diet and nutrition, and digital health technologies, utilizing mixed-methods approaches with specialization in qualitative and dyadic analysis. He develops culturally tailored public health strategies that bridge community engagement with systems-level impact, emphasizing equity and sustainability in intervention design. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal a cohesive trajectory examining family/community roles in health management, particularly among immigrant populations, with growing emphasis on digital health tools and cultural adaptation in dietary behavior research. Key themes include intergenerational health dynamics, methodological innovation in qualitative research, and context-specific chronic disease management frameworks. Scientific Awards and Grants: PI on NUS SSHSPH Seed Fund for Ground-Up Research grant (2024): Developing family-led sodium reduction model in Singapore Co-PI on University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford pilot grant (2023): Social media intervention for South Asian American dietary attitudes NUS SSHSPH Research Fellow Teaching Award (2024) Dr. Ali actively secures competitive research funding for community-driven health initiatives, particularly targeting immigrant populations through digital platforms. His professional leadership includes serving as Communications Director for the Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health (APIC) within the American Public Health Association (2021-2022), demonstrating commitment to advancing equity in public health practice and policy through interdisciplinary collaborations across multiple institutions.

• Family and social dynamics
• Chronic disease prevention
• Diet and nutrition
• +3 more

Lyle Fearnley is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Associate Head of Cluster (Education) in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). He holds a Joint Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Columbia University. His research focuses on the intersections of science, medicine, and society, particularly in China and Southeast Asia. Key areas include food safety controversies, the social dimensions of zoonotic diseases, and the historical development of global health systems. Notable projects examine wet markets' role in disease transmission, the cultural history of medical face masks, and the epistemology of airborne disease prevention. His book Virulent Zones (Duke University Press, 2020) earned the 2021 Francis L.K. Hsu Book Prize Honorable Mention. Fearnley’s recent work addresses the ethics of pandemic governance, the agnotology of virology, and Singapore’s transition to a circular economy through waste management reforms. He has been featured in media outlets like Channel News Asia and contributes to global health dialogues through podcasts and academic talks. Education: Joint Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology (UC Berkeley/UCSF), B.A. Anthropology (Columbia) Awards: 2021 Francis L.K. Hsu Book Prize Honorable Mention, 2021 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough Finalist Key Publications: Virulent Zones , 'Beyond Asian Mask Culture,' 'Agnotology of Virology' His research bridges anthropological theory with policy analysis, emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions of health crises and infrastructure transitions in modernizing societies.

• Medical Anthropology
• Global Health
• Food Safety
• +4 more